Mastering Your Short Game: Tips to Improve Your Putting

2 September 2025

If you've ever found yourself missing a short putt and muttering under your breath, you’re not alone. Putting is one of the most frustrating (yet rewarding) aspects of golf. You can crush a 300-yard drive down the fairway, but if you can't sink that 3-footer, it won't matter.

A solid short game can make or break your scorecard, so let's talk about how you can sharpen those putting skills, lower your strokes, and maybe even impress your weekend golf buddies.

Why Putting Matters More Than You Think

You've probably heard the phrase, "Drive for show, putt for dough." Well, it's true. While booming drives may get all the glory, putting is where the magic happens. About 40% of your total strokes come from putting, meaning it has the biggest impact on your final score.

So, if you’re serious about improving your golf game, dialing in your putting is a great place to start.

The Fundamentals of a Great Putt

Before we dive into advanced techniques, let’s start with the basics. If you’re struggling with putting, there’s a good chance one (or more) of these fundamentals need some tweaking.

1. Grip It the Right Way

Your grip plays a huge role in the stability of your stroke. Unlike a full swing, where grip pressure may vary, a putting grip should be light but firm—think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out.

Popular Putting Grips:

- Traditional Grip – The standard, with both hands placed naturally on the club.
- Cross-Handed (Left-Hand Low) – Helps keep the lead wrist firm and prevents excessive hand movement.
- Claw Grip – Reduces wrist action and helps stabilize the putter face.

Try different grips to see which one feels most comfortable and improves your control.

2. Set Up for Success

Your posture and stance can make all the difference. Here’s a simple way to set up correctly:

- Feet Shoulder-Width Apart – Stay balanced and stable.
- Ball Position – Slightly ahead of center in your stance.
- Eyes Over the Ball – This helps with alignment and ensures a more consistent stroke.

Once you have a comfortable setup, consistency is key. Stick with it!

3. Develop a Smooth, Repeatable Stroke

The best putters don’t "hit" the ball; they stroke it smoothly. The key is to maintain a pendulum-like motion, similar to a grandfather clock.

A few golden rules to follow:

- Keep your wrists quiet—no unnecessary flicking.
- Maintain a consistent tempo (not too fast or too slow).
- Let the putter “swing” rather than forcing it.

If you can master a smooth stroke, you’ll avoid those dreaded jerky, inconsistent putts.

The Mental Game of Putting

Let’s face it—putting is as much a mental battle as it is a physical skill. Standing over a putt, you might think, "Don’t miss this," which, ironically, increases the chances of missing it!

4. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

Instead of obsessing over making the putt, focus on executing a smooth stroke. Trust your mechanics and let the ball do the rest.

A great trick? Pick a specific spot just in front of your ball and roll it over that point. This keeps your mind on execution rather than fear of missing.

5. Develop a Pre-Putt Routine

Every great putter has a routine. It builds confidence and eliminates doubt. Your routine might look something like this:

1. Read the green (more on that later).
2. Take a deep breath and visualize the putt going in.
3. Set up and align yourself.
4. Take one or two practice strokes.
5. Commit and stroke the putt with confidence.

By following a repeatable routine, you’ll feel more in control, even under pressure.

Reading Greens Like a Pro

If you’re just aiming straight at the hole every time, you’re leaving a lot to chance. Reading greens correctly is a game-changer.

6. Check the Slope and Break

Greens aren’t flat (unless you’re playing mini-golf). Take a step back and look at the overall slope of the green. Is it sloping left, right, uphill, or downhill?

A great way to read the break is to crouch behind the ball and trace the path the ball will take. If you’re unsure, play slightly more break than you think—you’ll be surprised how much the ball reacts.

7. Pay Attention to Grain and Speed

Not all greens play the same. Some are lightning-fast, while others are slow and sticky.

- Downhill putts – Will roll faster, so use a softer stroke.
- Uphill putts – Require more speed; be aggressive.
- Grain direction – The ball rolls faster with the grain and slower against it. You can check this by looking at how the grass shines—darker means against the grain, lighter means with the grain.

Reading greens takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll start seeing putts drop more consistently.

Drills to Improve Your Putting

What’s the best way to get better at putting? Practice with purpose! Here are some simple but effective putting drills.

8. The Gate Drill (For Accuracy)

Place two tees just wider than your putter head about a foot in front of your ball. Your goal? Stroke the putt cleanly through the gate without hitting the tees. This improves accuracy and keeps your stroke square.

9. The Clock Drill (For Short Putts)

Place four balls around the hole at equal distances (like a clock) and try to sink all four in a row. If you miss, start over. This drill builds confidence with those tricky knee-knockers.

10. The Ladder Drill (For Distance Control)

Place tees at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet from you. Start at the closest one and try to roll the ball just past each marker without going too far. This helps develop great speed control.

Confidence is Key

At the end of the day, the best putters believe they will make their putts. Even if you don't feel like a putting wizard now, keep at it. With the right mindset, mechanics, and practice, you’ll start holing more putts and shaving strokes off your score in no time.

So next time you step onto the green, take a deep breath, trust your stroke, and roll that ball with confidence. Your scorecard—and your golf buddies—will thank you.